Does Enhancing Maternal Peer Interactions Decrease Rates of Postpartum Depression?
| Status: | Active, not recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Depression, Depression, Women's Studies |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Psychiatry / Psychology, Reproductive |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 2/21/2019 |
| Start Date: | August 27, 2018 |
| End Date: | August 30, 2019 |
The long-term goal of this study is to validate a simple and inexpensive intervention to
reduce the incidence and impact of Postpartum Depression (PPD). The central hypothesis is
that enhancing social support of new mothers specifically via an organized peer get-together
will decrease rates of postpartum depression. The rationale for the proposed research is that
even though PPD is common and risk factors for developing PPD are known, simple and
inexpensive interventions to prevent PPD need to be studied. Postpartum mothers will be
recruited for the study and randomized into control versus intervention group. The
intervention group will be placed in a peer discussion group. Incidence of PPD will be
tracked.
reduce the incidence and impact of Postpartum Depression (PPD). The central hypothesis is
that enhancing social support of new mothers specifically via an organized peer get-together
will decrease rates of postpartum depression. The rationale for the proposed research is that
even though PPD is common and risk factors for developing PPD are known, simple and
inexpensive interventions to prevent PPD need to be studied. Postpartum mothers will be
recruited for the study and randomized into control versus intervention group. The
intervention group will be placed in a peer discussion group. Incidence of PPD will be
tracked.
According to a 2014 Cochrane Review, postpartum depression (PPD) is present in 13% of new
mothers by twelve weeks postpartum. Infant feeding, sleep routines, growth, and
socioemotional and cognitive development can be adversely affected by maternal PPD. These
negative effects can last into childhood. Previous studies have shown that strong social
support is protective against PPD. The 2014 Cochrane Review on this topic comments that
simple, inexpensive interventions to decrease rates of PPD are needed and that interventions
led by lay-people and done in groups may be helpful to decrease rates of PPD. More recent
studies focus on interventions for mothers already showing symptoms of postpartum depression,
not on preventing these symptoms from developing.
The proposed work is important, because it capitalizes on recommendations for future research
from the 2014 Cochrane Review on Psychosocial and Psychological Interventions for Preventing
Postpartum Depression. The proposed work is also innovative, because it involves a preventive
intervention from lay-people in a group setting, with new moms benefiting from each other. At
the completion of this project, it is our expectation that mothers in the intervention group
will have sustained decreased rates of PPD.
mothers by twelve weeks postpartum. Infant feeding, sleep routines, growth, and
socioemotional and cognitive development can be adversely affected by maternal PPD. These
negative effects can last into childhood. Previous studies have shown that strong social
support is protective against PPD. The 2014 Cochrane Review on this topic comments that
simple, inexpensive interventions to decrease rates of PPD are needed and that interventions
led by lay-people and done in groups may be helpful to decrease rates of PPD. More recent
studies focus on interventions for mothers already showing symptoms of postpartum depression,
not on preventing these symptoms from developing.
The proposed work is important, because it capitalizes on recommendations for future research
from the 2014 Cochrane Review on Psychosocial and Psychological Interventions for Preventing
Postpartum Depression. The proposed work is also innovative, because it involves a preventive
intervention from lay-people in a group setting, with new moms benefiting from each other. At
the completion of this project, it is our expectation that mothers in the intervention group
will have sustained decreased rates of PPD.
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Women who deliver at the Hershey Medical Center
2. Postpartum women within first week after delivery
3. Women who are 18 years of age or older
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Postpartum women who delivered newborn before 35 0/7 gestational age.
2. Postpartum women whose newborn required any length of stay in the newborn intensive
care unit.
3. Postpartum women who do not speak English.
4. Postpartum women who are less than 18 years old.
5. Postpartum women who are unable to provide consent.
6. Postpartum women who were on antidepressant or antianxiety medication or undergoing
therapy for depression or anxiety during pregnancy or during postpartum
hospitalization.
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